Bath-tub



l UNITED STATES ATnNT riuCE,v

GEORGE FRANKLIN BUTTERFIELD, OF STONEHAM, MASSACHUSETTS.

BATH-TU B. l

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 565,836, dated August11, 1896.

Application filed June 6, 1895. Serial No. 551,885. (No model.)

To all whmn it may concern,.-

Be it known that l, GEORGE FRANKLIN BUTTEBFIELD, of Stoneham, in thecounty of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Bath-Tubs, of which the following is afull, clear, and exact description.

The obj eet of the invention is to provide a new and improved bath-tubwhich can be readily divided to form a foot-bath or childrens tub in thesupply end, to permit of conveniently bathing children, and to save aconsiderable quantity of water, which is otherwise necessary for fillingthe entire tub.

The invention consists principally of a gate hung on one side of abath-tub near the foot end, the said gate being adapted to close theupper or head portion to the water-supply.

The invention also consists of certain parts and details andcombinations of the same, as will be fully described hereinafter, andthen pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar characters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure l is a perspective view ofthe im provement. Fig. 2 is atransverse section of the same, looking toward the head portion; andFig. 3 is a like View looking toward the foot portion.

The improved bathtub A, made of suitable material, is provided with afoot or lower part A and a widened head portion A2, arranged to permitthe user to have perfect freedom of his arms while bathing in the tub.In the lower end of the tub Aare arranged the usual hot and cold watersupply pipes B, and near this lower end is hung a gate C, connected byhinges D with one side of the tub. The gate C extends the full height ofthe tub A, and is adapted to fold to one side thereof when not in use,as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. l. W'hen the gate Gis swung open,as shown in the drawings, it forms a transverse partition in the tub fordividing the lower or foot portion A from the head portion A2 and forforming a foot-bath or childrens tub inthe lower end of the bath-tub.The gate C when swung open rests against cleats E, secured to the sidesand bottom of the tub, so that when the gate is in this position and thewater is turned on through the Supplypipes B, then this lower portion ofthe tub is filled with water for a foot-bath or for bathing children, asthe case may be. On the side on which the hinges D are attached isarranged a seat F, extending outwardly and upwardly from the top edge ofthe side of the batlrtub, to be supported on suitable brackets G,attached to the outer face of this side of the tub. By this arrangementa person desiring to takea foot-bath can conveniently seat himself whiletaking the foot-bath.

It will be seen that by the arrangement described but a small amount ofwater. is required for taking a foot-bath or for bathing children, asthe upper or head portion is shut off to the water supply by the gate C,which extends transversely in the tub and forms a partition therefor.When the tub is to be used for a regular bath, then the gate C is swungto the side of the bath-tub on which it is hinged, so as to becompletely out of the way. It is understood that when the gate closesthe head portion to the water-supply and water passes into the foot endof the tub. Then the gate C is firmly pressed to its seat on the cleatsE by the weight of the water, so that leakage of the 4water into theupper head portion of the tub is not liable to take place.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patentl. A bath-tub provided with a gate hinged at oneedge to the inner surface of the tub, whereby the gate can be swung toform a transverse partition to divide the tub into compartments, or tobe folded against the inner surface of the tub when not in use,substantially as described.

2. A bathetub provided, at one side of the center of its length, with agate hinged at one edge to the inner surface of the tub to swing indirection of the water-supply end thereof, whereby the gate can be swungto divide the tub into two unequal compartments, andl when so swung isadapted to be held firmly to its seat by the pressure of the water inthe smaller compartment, substantially as described.

3. A bath-tub provided with a gate hinged IOO vided with a gate hingedto the inner surface of the body portion a short distance from itsWater-supply end, said gate being near the foot end of the tub andadapted to be swung across the saine to form a foot or ehilds tub at thelower end of the body portion, substantially as described.

GEORGE FRANKLIN BUTTERFIELD. Titnessesz CHAs. HALL ADAMS, BLANCHE IRENEBRACKETT.

